MrBlack

If we called it a 4480Mah we would be lying.

Capacity is a measurement done before pack assembly. LiPo's lose far less to resistance after assembly and cycling.

Plus the batteries are capacity rated for a different application then we use.

It's like a hamburger, a quarter pounder is only such before cooking.

Iceracer

iTrader: (1)

Ok, now this sounds like the best thing since flush toilets and electricity, and I'm sure even those had their critics.

speedythecat

Okay thanks! Just to be clear, if it has been 1-2 weeks I can repeak them and it won't hurt the battery at all, just might not be much benefit?

Wild Cherry

Go ahead , repeak ...
When you do, the charger will know the pack has a charge and you will only see the charger recharging the pack at less than .5 amps for just a short time ....

Rainey

Being that I am new to the Lipo deal but have been using Nimh batteries for a while, all of this info is vey helpful. I will be purchasing some Lipos in the very near future since we allow them in our racing series. (see sig) I do have one question though. After reading all of the info someone posted about the diff between "top tier" and China products, I was wondering why the price diff between the Peakand Orion batteries. They look to be the same and i even noticed that Mr Black has both companies listed in his sig. My understanding is that these companies are the same, so to speak.

speedythecat

Oh Okay, even with my Multiplex LN-5014?

Wild Cherry

Not familiar with that charger ...sorry...
if its a charger design for Li-Po, that is what you would see occur...

daffy

[QUOTE]
thanks mr black
i thought as much but it's nice to have it confirmed

syndr0me

iTrader: (32)

The only difference is the sticker. Peak seems to rebrand Orion stuff with their sticker. In this case, the price on the Peak batteries is lower, but it's identical in every way but the sticker, which is red instead of blue and says Peak instead of Orion.

yyhayyim

iTrader: (26)

I have been using the ICE charger, and its been great for my LIPOS's. However, I need something that can charge 2 lipos at the same time. I have searched and found the MRC Super Brain 977 charger, which charges LIPOS and can charge 2 lipos at the same time. It sells for $95 at towerhobbies. However, I have seen in this forum some mention of some guys using the Orion Avionics Advantage charger, which is only $29. I could buy 2 of these and for $60 basically be able to charge 2 lipos at the same time also...the problem is that according the pictures on towerhobbies, it doesnt have wires and tamiya plugs or banana plugs at the ends to be able to charge the Orion packs...how are you guys doing this?

Disaster

I've been using Lipos for about three years. I found one I had forgot about at the bottom of a box of RC parts. Not sure when or how much I charged it but it has been at least two years. It still had 80% of its charge. It helps that it set in a cold basement. Heat is the major killer of Lipos...the hotter they are, when you cycle them, or when they are sitting around, the faster they will age (permanently lose capacity.)

You can peak them at any time, but it really isn't necessary. Just don't leave them in your hot car. If you really want to increase their life (though it is head and shoulders better than NiMh now) you can leave them in the refrigerator. Just be sure to get them back out, with enough time to fully warm up, before you use them. The cold temperature really knocks down their performance.

Disaster

Be careful the Brain. There was one version...not sure if it is the 977 that doesn't use voltage feedback...only capacity. If you set the wrong capacity, or if the battery is only partly drained (repeak situation) you will fry the battery and there will be fire. It is very dangerous to use on Lipos...even though it says it has that capability. I prefer a Lipo only charger. They are really inexpensive and I know there is no way I will make a mistake with the settings (accidently charge Lipo on the NiMh setting.)

flying G.E.O.

iTrader: (4)

i charge mine almost 5 days before and use it on the weekend with minimal repeak. We're talking 50mah self discharge only. I dont know why this thing doesn't self discharge much .
Anyone know what is the shelf life of lipo batts if not used for a long time? Do they degrade in performance after months in storage?

kuzo

iTrader: (11)

At least 2 of my packs came with an insert that specifically said do NOT use the MRC 977 charger. Don't known the reason, perhaps Mr Black has an idea.

Disaster

Yes, they degrade proportional to the temperature over time. You can greatly reduce the degradation by keeping them cooler. The degradation is not linear...it goes up considerably as the temperature increases over room temperature. As I mentioned in my earlier post, do not leave them in a hot car. A cool basement is a better place and if they sit for long periods the refrigerator is not a bad idea.

If you do a web search you can find charts and graph of the life vs. cycles and temperature.

They eventually fail, often from shorts in a cell. This is more likely to happen with heavy charges and discharges, impacts and poor production tolerances.